



In May of 2010 this track reopened after an extensive and very well-done rework by Tim Cates. 10 holes were entirely renovated and the other eight holes were slightly altered to become more playable and strategic. Every tee, green complex and bunker was newly constructed to more modern day standards and replanted with MiniVerde Bermuda; many fairways were re-graded and resodded. While this is truly a great escape from the “norm,” sadly it doesn’t fit well into most golfer’s itineraries and budgets. It is well over an hour’s drive north of Myrtle Beach, and once you get to Southport, NC you need to allow at least another hour just to unload your clubs, park your car, take the 25-minute ferry ride ($15 per person round trip) over to the island, check in and get to the 1st tee. If you can put up with all that, you can have a lot of fun on an uncrowded and challenging ocean-view golf course. The 6,855 course features salt marshes, tidal creeks, fresh water lagoons and an impressive dune ridge. Water is in play on all but four holes, while the brisk ocean breezes are almost always in play, and their people are very accommodating.